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Open Access 04-07-2023 | Arterial Occlusive Disease | Review Article

GLP-1RAs and cardiovascular disease: is the endothelium a relevant platform?

Authors: Rossella Menghini, Viviana Casagrande, Stefano Rizza, Massimo Federici

Published in: Acta Diabetologica | Issue 11/2023

Abstract

Hyperglycemia strongly affects endothelial function and activation, which in turn increases the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Among pharmacotherapies aimed at lowering blood glucose levels, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) represent a class of drugs involved in the improvement of the endothelium damage and the progression of cardiovascular diseases. They show antihypertensive and antiatherosclerotic actions due at least in part to direct favorable actions on the coronary vascular endothelium, such as oxidative stress reduction and nitric oxide increase. However, cumulative peripheral indirect actions could also contribute to the antiatherosclerotic functions of GLP-1/GLP-1R agonists, including metabolism and gut microbiome regulation. Therefore, further research is necessary to clarify the specific role of this drug class in the management of cardiovascular disease and to identify specific cellular targets involved in the protective signal transduction. In the present review, we provide an overview of the effects of GLP-1RAs treatment on cardiovascular disease with particular attention on potential molecular mechanisms involving endothelium function on formation and progression of atherosclerotic plaque.

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Title: GLP-1RAs and cardiovascular disease: is the endothelium a relevant platform?
Authors: Rossella Menghini
Viviana Casagrande
Stefano Rizza
Massimo Federici
Publication date: 04-07-2023
Publisher: Springer Milan
Keywords: Arterial Occlusive Disease
Liraglutide
Hyperglycemia
Incretin Mimetics
Incretin Mimetics
Published in: Acta Diabetologica / Issue 11/2023
Print ISSN: 0940-5429
Electronic ISSN: 1432-5233
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00592-023-02124-w

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